What is in the bag in July!

U Sacchettu continues to change with the season. Here is some of the bounty:

Lumii (Lemons) – From my new house! I don’t know the variety but it is “everbearing” which means that it produces fruit and blossoms at the same time. My niece and her children had a lot of fun picking a small sacchettu.

Gelsi (Mulberries) – We call them “Cenzi” (pronounced “chen zee”) in Sicilian. They are also from a tree at my new house! The Cenzi are almost overripe but they are juicy and flavorful and very messy to pick at this stage. I have plans for Jams and Jellies with next year’s crop. If we can pick more over the next few days, I will serve over Lemon Granita.

Verdura pi Insalata (Salad Vegetables) – Large underripe tomatoes and cucumber. The cucumber is round variety that looks like a small melon. It has a great Sicilian name – Battagliuni (pronounced “bah-ttah-liuni”) It is sweet and crispy with small seeds. We will make our favorite summer salad: Tomatoes, Cucumber, Red Onion, Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar and Oregano.

Pumadoru (Tomatoes) – This Tomato variety also has a great Sicilian name – Pizzuteddru – for the little point on the end. This small tomato is the used to make Sucu (Sauce) It is pulpy with few seeds.

Persichi (Peaches) e Millingiani (Eggplant) – The peaches continue to improve, they are ripe, juicy and smell wonderful. These particular eggplants are the prettiest I have ever seen!

It is blazingly hot these days. So Rose will not be turning on the oven, she will make Peperonata for Dinner. This Peperonata is a one pot meal cooked on the stove. It will include today’s Eggplant, Peppers, Potatoes, Cucuzza, Onions, Tomatoes and Oregano. She will serve fresh crusty bread to dip in the vegetable juices. It is one of our favorite meals, looking forward to Dinner!